davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
COUNSEL FOR DEFENSE.


Of Landeck," central Germany; one Of his early
playthings was an old torture rack with which
the mobiles used to extort money from Jews or
regulate the peasants, and his favorite haunt
In childhood was on the edge Of deep chasm
into which the robber barons used to throw ''the
pretty girls Of the village" whom they had kid
paped and Of whom they had tired. There he
grew up, and thence he came to America to teach
the Anarchstic doctrine, reaching the new world
in 1872 and Chicago q year later There he
worked as an upholsterer for q number Of years.
He first showed an interest in the theories Of
Socialism in 1875 and in 1877 Joined himself to the
Lehr und Wehr-Verein. He was attached to The
Arbeiter Zeitung in 1880 and succeeded Paul
Grottkau as editor in chief in 1884 Everybody
remembers the attachment that sprung up be-
tween him and Miss Nina Van Zandt during the
trial. and which resulted in their marriage "by
proxy"
Samuel Fielden was born in Todmorden, Ian
cashire, England, in 1S47. He grew up to be o
laborer and Methodist field preacher. In 1868
he came to America, and soon located in Chicago,
where he Joined the Liberal league in 1880; there
he met Spies and Parsons, and thereafter grew
rapidly into anarchial views. Save him and Par
sons all the condemned are Germans
Albert R. Parsons Is the only native American
among the condemned men. Born in Alabama
IN lolS anu early lelt III OIpudui uc Was ltuTeu
by his brother. who was afterwards the noted
Confederate general, w. II. Parsons. He served
in the Confederate artillery when but IA years
old; but after the war he became Repub-
liccn, and In 1872 married woman suspected
of having negro blood in her veins" for which
his brother disowned him. Before this he had
been first printer on The Galveston (Tex.) News
and late editor Of The Waco CTex) Spectator.
Because Of this marriage he was obliged to leave
Texas, and locating in Chicago he worked in
various printing offices, but after time became
o professional labor agitator; was at one time
master workman of District Assembly "a, Knights
Of Labor, and was president Of the trades as
sembly for three years. He was nominated for
the presidency by the Sociaistc party in $780, but
declined as he was not then IS years Of age. In
1885, at Pittsburg he helped frame the platform
Of the International Working Peoples associa-
tion. He was named for city clerk Of Chicago by
the Socialists in 1883, and became editor Of The
Alarm, the organ Of the american Group" q
year later.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

two miles and a deep prolonged roar, echoing
from the buildings-then appalling screams
and a volley of pistol shots. The smoke
lifted, and the ground appeared covered with
slain-but only for an instant. Two whole
companies of police had been thrown to the
ground, Of whom one, Matthias j. Degan,
was instantly killed, six mortally wounded
and sixty others hurt in various degrees.
But tho police rallied at once and with the
frmness and steadiness of veterans, they
sprang forward, emptying their revolvers
into tho flying crowd as they went, and fol-
lowing their shots with their clubs they
cleared the street in less than three minutes
Of all save the dead and wounded. From
alley, gutter and hallway came deep groans
and curses.
Is is estimated that twenty of the crowd
were killed and about $50 wounded. An An
archist named Kistler was killed by the
bomb. Besides Officer Degan, killed outright,
tho policemen who died of their wounds were
j. j. Barrett, George Miller, Timothy .Flani-
han, Michael Sheehan, Thomas Reddin and
Neil Hansen. After the dispersion of tho
mob came the saddest scenes Of the occasion.
The dead and wounded policemen were rap
idly conveyed to the station, the latter made
as comfortable as possible and surgeons
called; but not before their wives and near
relatives hurried there, for bad news flies
fast. The tears of some. the sobs and loud
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

doge FalIeri to the council OF ten: My defense Is
your accusation; the causes Of my alleged crime
your history" A little later he says: 1.-The con-
templated murder Of eight men, whose only
crime is that they have dared to speak the truth,
may open the eyes Of the suffering millions, may
wake them up Indeed. have noticed that our
conviction has worked miracles in this direction
already"
I'VE have interpreted to the people their con.
ditions and relations in society. We have ex::
planned to them the different social phenomena OF
the social laws and circumstances under which
they occur. We have, by way Of scientific inves.
tigation, incontrovertibly proved ond brought to
their knowledge that the system Of wages is the
root of the social quities-iniguities so mon.
strous that they cry to heaven. We have further
said that the wage system, as q specific form of
social development, would by the necessity Of
logic have to make room for higher forms of civ.
iliZatiun; that 1t was preparing the way for so
cial system Of co-operation-that is, socialism"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
THE EATEEUL NIGHT,

On the evening of May 4 about 1900 people
assembled. The managers placed the wagon
on which tho speakers were to stand little
way up Desplaines street from the Hay
market, by the mouth Of convenient alley,
and at point where they could have full
view of the police as the latter advanced
from their Desplaines Street station. Mayor
Carter Harrison was in the crowd and OK
pressed some surprise at the mildness Of the
first speakers, Spies and Parsons. The crowd
was disappointed, too, and was fast melting
away, when Felden took his stand in the
wagon. His most intimate English friends
could not have recognized the mild Metho-
dist exhorter and laborer Of other days. His
frenzed defamation excited what remained
of the crowd, and their applause reacted on
him. It was testified at tho trial that he
called for immediate action in these words:
Arm! ArmM Throttle and kill the law!
Then Inspector Bonfeld decided to disperse
the meeting. Seven companies Of policemen,
It's men, in platoons reaching from curb to
curb, marched from their station Of Des-
PLANES street north to the wagon. AS they
drew near, Fielden is sworn to have shouted:
"Here come the bloodhounds; you do your
duty and I'll do mine!"
Capt. Ward, of the police, called out:
SIN the name Of the people Of the state Of
Illinois I command you to peaceably dis.
perse!"
Fielden stepped down from the wagon ex-
claiming:
"We are peaceable"
1t was claimed by the prosecution that the
word ''peaceable" was the signal agreed on.
There was dead silence for perhaps ten
seconds, the crowd slowly moving Off and
the police standing firm, when q strange
6zzin1 sound was heard near the mouth Of
the alley and tnencea little BAH rose IN curve
over the wagon and fell between the second
and third companies of police. There was
binding flash, an explosion that was heard
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
TEMPERANCE ITEMS.
FRO BE CONTINUED. ]

A surplus of saloons is the worst sur
plus we suffer from.-N. Y. Tribune.
There was not a single arrest for
drunkenness in the Shetland Isles last
year.
Norway has $50 total abstinence socie-
ties with membership Of $4,000. The
idea is spreading.
Many man has ruined his eye-sight
by sitting in the bar-room looking for
work.-kdnSaS Record.
A working-man's wife is better de-
pository Of his nickels and dimes than is
the Observation-Disclosures Telegram.
It is stated that seventy-tive thousand
gallons of analine dye were shipped into
California in 1886, and were used in adul-
terating the wine made in the State.
It is told that an Indian, on being re-
minded Of the weakness of his race Tor
whisky, replied that although Indians
would drink it they were never bad
enough to make it.-GdtUeston Ne'cs.
1t is singular phase of human nature
that when a man gives his wife dime
to buy box of hair pins or gum-ring
for the baby it looks about seven times
as big as when he planks it down for
bitters.-Stoe and Leather Reporter.
The address on medicine, and the re-
cent meeting of the British Medical AS
sociation, was delivered by Prof. w. T.
Gardner, of the University of Glasgow.
One of the points touched upon was the
use of alcohol in fever. He said the con-
clusion had been reached tina: alcoholic
stimulants were not the only torn;, or
the best form of alimentation in such
cases, but that milk was in reality the
food which is generally more easily di-
gested, and more conducive to success
than almost any other.-N. Y. Ledger.
Twenty-Five years ago John Grundy,
of Philadelphia, was one of the most ex-
pert and prosperous Of the marble cutters
of that city. Then he went into politics,
was successful, and was elected alder
man for several terms. Then he took to
drinking. lost his office and his employ
ment, and became a rag-picker, and his
wife was rag-sorter until she became
blind and went to the poor-house. The
other day he staggered into his garret
with whisky bottle, and four days later
his dead and decomposed body was
found lying on the bod where he had
ed.-Neap York SIN.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

Louis Lingg, who Is convicted Of having
made the bombs, is but - years old and cannot
speak English. He is said to have been expelled
from Germany, where be was born, for con-
spiracy.
Michael Schwab Is native of Mannheim, Ger
many, was born in 1853 and was educated in O
. convent. Coming to America in 1872 he worked
for time at the book binders trade. He became
connected with The Arbeiter Zeitung at the same
time as Spies.
George Engel was born in Cassel, Germany, in
1896, received q common school education, learned
the printers trade and came to America in 1873.
year later he located in Chicago, where he soon
embraced Socialism and became an Anarchist.
He established the Northwest Group" in 1883.
Adolph Fischer is about 80 years Of age and is
German. He came to America when a lad and
learned the printers trade with his brother, who
published German weekly at Nashville, Tenn.
Later Adolph edited and published The Little
Rock (Ark.) Stats Zeitung, which he sold in 1881.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

in many cities by reason Of her speeches in
his behalf. Mrs. Schnaubelt, mother of tho
alleged bomb thrower, and Mrs. Schwab, her
daughter, were recently brought into special
prominence by reason of the elder lady's visit
to America and the rumor that she had
brought with her full statement Of tho
facts in the case from her son. Spies, Fielden
and Schwab finally signed petitions for
communication. All these things can only
be alluded to here. Among other cuts we
give portrait of Sheriff Matson, of Cook
county, Ills, who, by virtue of his Office, has
charge of all executions in Chicago.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
JUST BEFORE THE TRAGEDY.

JUST BEFORE THE TRAGEDY.
The evolution of the tragedy was curiously
regular.
First, as has been shown, these men taught
radical Socialism. Next, they organized dis
contented workingmen to act more efficiently
in strikes. The usual trouble arose: 'scabs"
took the place of striking workmen, they
were attacked by the strikers, the police were
called on for protection and the inevitable
question was presented-shan we fight? The
Anarchists, in speech and in The Arbeiter
Zeitung, vehemently urged destructive
measures. They exhorted the strikers to
fight both the "scabs" and the poicergave
minute instructions how to use nitro -glycerine
and manufacture bombs, and had ''armed
sections Of their supporters who drilled
nightly and were instructed in the use Of
bombs.
At length it was boldly announced that the
Anarchists had 5000 armed and well drilled
revolutionists in Chicago, and it was proved
that they really had 3,0Oc at this time, as was
sworn to during the trial. The Arbeiter Zei-
rung and The Alarm published many such
sentiments as these:
Daggers and revolvers are easily to be gotten;
hand grenades are cheaply to be produced.
Will the workingmen supply themselves with
weapons, dynamite and prussic acidS
The workingmen ought to take aim at every
member Of the militia.
And while the writers acted with what
they probably considered caution, the speak
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

reached when 7sS,sa2 Europeans landed in
the United States. immigration from Eng
land had declined and that from Ireland
fallen to minimum; but from southern
Germany there was an immense increase,
while eastern Europe sent Poles, Bohemians,
Russians, Hungarians and their congeners by
tens of Thousands. In many of these people
hatred Of government had become heredi-
tary sentiment. Chicago became headquar-
ters for the discontented, and The Arbeiter
Zeitung workers JournaD their organ. Then
sprung up In that city the international
Worhngmen's association. The platform or
declaration Of principles Of this organization,
ss was testified to at the trial, urged that
1.-THE present system under which property is
ON i by individuals should be destroyed,
and that all capital which has been produced
by labor should be transformed into COM
mon property" The association was divi-
ded into groups" Of which there were
eighty in the United States in March, 1885,
located principally In the cities of industry.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

a 4-caibcr revolver and peculiar knife
nadc from fat file. All were released af-
ter the inquest except Schwab, Fischer and
August Spies. The condemned and some
others wero held without bail. May II, the
grand jury met and listened to charge by
tho late Judge Rogers; on the 9Th they
handed in indictments against the men since
condemned and Anton Hirschburger and
John APPEL besides. On making up his case
tho prosecutor nollied tho indictments
against the last Two, tho evidence being in
sufficient. On tho 21st Of Juno the trial be-
gan before Judge Gary. Three weeks and
three days wero consumed in making up
jury; 1881 talesmen wero examined, both
sides exhausting every power the law gavo
them. The names Of the jury were as fol-
lows:
Frank S. Osborne, foreman; James II. Cole,
Scott G. Randall, Theodore E. Denker, Charles y.
Todd, Andrew Hamilton, Charles a. Ludwig,
James Fl. Brayton, Alanson II. Reed, John 3.
Grenier, George W. Adams, Howard T. Sanford.
The trial lasted from July Is to Aug. 20 in
elusive and attracted the attention Of the
civilized world-scarcely more by the impor-
tance Of the issues than by tho abilities Of
the counsel. On behalf of the state appeared
States Attorney Julius S. Grinnell, assisted
by Messrs Frank Walker, Edmund Furth-
man end George c. Ingham; for the accused,
Capt. W. P Black, Moses Salomon, W. A.
Foster and Sigmund Zeisler. The jury
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
ARREST-TRIAL-CONVICTION.

On the day after the tragedy the police de-
Chicago and arrested every suspected man;
before morning many had been dragged from
their beds. Every ono in Tho Arbeiter
Zeitung Office was arrested: August Spies,
editor in chief; Christ Spies, his brother;
Michael Schwab, associate editor; Mrs. Eliz-
abeth May Holmes, editorial contributor;
eighteen printers, two reporters and two
MESSENGERS Rudolph Schnaubelt. who it
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

cries of others, tho groans, the gashcs, the
blood and mangled bodies-all these formed
q scene to wiring the hearts Of the pitiful.
Within few weeks Chicago had contributed
$4,000 for the care Of the wounded police
and the relief of their families and those Of
the dead.
The bomb used is said to have been Of the
samo pattern used to kill the czar Of Russia,
and is very well shown in the initial letter
cut of this account. It was made Of compo-
sition metal cups fastened together nearly in
tho form Of sphere with bolt and nut.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
SCENE OF THE BOMB THROWING.

SCENE OF THE BOMB THROWING.
The Chicago groups were known as the
North Side, the Northwest Side, the Ameri-
can, the Karl Marx, the Freiheit, the South
west Side and Jefferson No. /. Schwab,
Neebe and Lingg belonged to the North Side
''group;" Engel and Fischer to the Northwest
Side, and Spies, Parsons and Fielden to the
American. There was also an armed social
tstic organization called the Lehr und Wehr-
Verein, whose members seem to have also
BEEN members Of the international Groups"
but to have been of higher rank.
The branch Of the International Working
mems association which existed in Chicago
during 1886 and up to May 4, 1886, was COM
pact, well disciplined organization. At the
head Of it was general or central commit
tee. Next to it came the Lehr und Wehr-
Verein. Then came the EARNED sections" Of
the various groups" and then came the un-
armed members Of the groups"
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

On April IS, 1856, the new: board Of trade
building was formally opened; there was
somewhat riotous popular demonstration
against it, and Fielden and Parsons addressed
the assemblage in language more infamma-
tory than ever before. In July, 1885, there
was general strike Of street car employees.
One riot was excited which was only
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
THE CONDEMNED MEN.

Brief biographical sketches of the con-
denned are here given:
August Theodore Vincent Spies pronounced
Specs is credited with being the brains of tho
movement He has given his experience in an
autobiography which is regarded as the work OF
genius by his friends, and as eloquent insanity
in print" by those who are opposed to him. He
was born Dec. 10, 1855. in the 'od robbers castle
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

was aftcrward
claimed, threw the
bomb, was among
those arrested, but
tho eviden nee
against him was
not deemed sufh-
cient to hold him
and he was re-.
leased. He imme-
diately left Ameri-
ca and is now sup
posed to be in Ger
m any. A oil lph
Fischer was ono Of
theprinters, and on
his person when ar
rnctnd 1unrn found
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
APPEALS TO HIGHER COURTS.


The usual application for nc7 trial was
fled and the entire method Of tho trial re-
argued for several days. The application be-
ing refused, an appeal was taken to tho
supreme court of Illinois, and once moro tho
whole case was thoroughly argued. It is
needless to detail the legal steps; suffice it
that so much time was consumed that the
case did mot reach the supreme court till
March II, 1887. Then Messrs. Grirncll,
Walker, Ingham and Attorney General
Hunt, for tho state, and Messrs. Black, Salo-
mon, Zeislcr and Leonard SWEET, for the de-
fease, discussed tho issues cs to whether the
court below had erred, whether tho Anar-
chists had been legally condemned to death
for mere conspiracy, whether the jury was
properly constituted and many others.
Tho weight Of argument before the
supreme court turned upon tho proper con.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

length. Spies and
Parsons have writ
ten auto b i o g.
raphies, and the
condemned m Q n,
their families and
Miss Nina Van
Zandt, who mar
ried Spies by
proxy, have been
the objects Of gen.
eral at ttention
since the tragedy.
Dusky Mrs. Par
sons, W h 0 b as
worked so hard
for her husbands
life, has become
personally known
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

cago He sometimes accused Spies and Schwab
Of being too mild, and at one time established
Der Anarchist, paper intended to supplant The
Arbeiter Zeitung.
Oscar Neebe, who received sentence Of fifteen
years In the state prison, Is also middle aged
German
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

agitators" are the cause Of the immense dissatis-
faction among the working people.
Oh, you people who speak thus, can you not, OF
will you not read the signs Of the times9 Do you
not see that the clouds on the social armament
are thickening? Are you not, for instance, aware
that the control Of industry and Of the means Of
transportation, etc., Is constantly concentrating
in fewer hands; that the monopolists, !. e., the
sharps among the capitalists swallow the little
ones among them; that trusts" pools" and
more thoroughly and systematically fleece the
people; that under the present system the de-
velopment Of technic and machineiy Is from year
to year throwing more workmen on the waysde;
that in some parts Of this great and fertile land
majority Of the farmers ore obliged to mortgage
strous corporations; that, in short, the rich are
constantly. growing richer and the poor poorer.
Yes, and do you not comprehend that all these
evils find their origin In the present institution OF
society which allows one portion Of the human
race to build fortunes upon the msfortunes OF
others-to enslave their fellow men?
Instead of trying to remedy these evils, and in
widening dissatisfaction Is, the ruling classes,
through their mouthpieces- press, pulpit, ETC.
u5fnme and misrepresent the character, teach
ings and motives Of the advocates Of social
stTuction, and use the rife and the club on them,
and, If the opportunity is favorable, send them to
AS an answer may as well quote the following
words with which Benjamin Franklin closed his
pire to Small One" which he dedicated to the
English government in 1T6: Suppose all their
(the 'kickersO complaints to be invented and pro.
noted by few factious demagogues, whom II
you could catch and hang all would be quiet.
Catch and hang few accordingly and the blood
Of the martyrs shall work miracles in favor OF
your purpose" IL e., your own ruin).
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16

The agitation growing out Of the attempt
to enforce the eight hour law led directly 10
the tragedy. As early as May, 1854, the or
ganized workingmen Of Chicago gave notice
that on the 1st of May, 1886, they would IN
.sist upon the general observance OF the law.
It is not necessary to detail the numerous
strikes and occasional riots Of the following
two years in various sections Of the country !;
suffice it, that each one was eagerly selzea
upon by the anarchists as fresh PROOF tna1
capital was crushing labor.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16


So say society may hang number Of dlsci
pies of progress who have disinterestedly served
Of humanity. but their blood will work miracles
in bringing about the downfall Of modern society
and in Fastening the birth Of new era Of civil.
Zation.
Magma est vertas ct prevalent.
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
the taking Of a letter without Warrant from
81. 4 IL. -

the taking of letter without Warrant from
Spies desk was also brought up
Tho supreme court Of the United States
rendered its decision on tho I'd Of November,
holding, in brief, that the jury law Of Illinois
does not contravene any provision of the M
tienal constitution, and that tho question as
to whether the state constitution and laws
had been strictly observed was one for the
state courts alone The court confined itsef
very strictly to the case before it, entering
into tho general questions raised only SO for
as absolutely necessary. But two points,
therefore, were passed upon in regard to the
amendments. The court held that the first
ten amendments limit the powers of the Fed
eral government, not tho powers Of state
over its citizens; and that the Fourteenth
amendment has not changed the rulo in that
respect. In oil other matters the court holds
Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1887-11-16
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.


that it has no jurisdiction, as tho questions
as to violating tho national constitution were
not raised or argued in the Illinois court.
Therefore, q writ of error could not issue.
OF the various appeals and petitions and
meetings protesting against the execution OF
the Anarchists we have not room to speak at